When the Music Pauses: Kehlani, EmpowHer, and the Fight to Be Heard Without Harm
It was supposed to be a vibe.
EmpowHer Music Festival had all the makings of something powerful — femme-led, soulful, and made for folks who know what it means to carry joy and community at the same time. Kehlani was headlining. Spirits were high. Then suddenly… postponed.
No big announcement. Just a quiet email days before the show: “Due to a safety & security matter.” That was it. No artist statements. No updates. Just silence.
But if you’ve been even halfway online lately, you probably know what’s up.
Kehlani’s been catching heat after sharing a post in support of Palestine — nothing wild, just a simple message affirming that she’s anti-genocide. But even that turned political. Her NYC show got canceled. Rumors started flying. Accusations of antisemitism popped up, even though she addressed it directly and clearly: “Being anti-genocide is not antisemitic.” Period.
Still, the damage was done. Shows pulled. Hate amplified. And now it seems like EmpowHer may have gotten swept up in the same mess.
The Cost of Speaking Up
This kind of thing isn’t new. We’ve seen it over and over — especially when it’s artists who are queer, Black, Brown, femme, or just too outspoken. The moment they say something real, the pushback comes fast. And in this moment? Even saying you want people to stop dying is somehow “too much.”
Kehlani didn’t get on a soapbox. She lit a candle. She shared a prayer. She grieved out loud. And instead of being met with understanding or even respectful disagreement, she got silenced. Watched. Treated like a problem.
Let Artists Be Human
We talk a lot about protecting artists’ peace, but this is what it looks like in practice: sometimes the music stops.
Not because they’re flaky. Not because they don’t care. But because they’re tired of having to perform through pain. Because the risk gets too real — not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually too. And no tour, no festival, no paycheck is worth putting yourself in a space that doesn’t feel safe.
This isn’t just about Kehlani either. This is a bigger moment about who gets to speak, who gets protected, and what happens when someone decides they’re not going to sugarcoat the truth just to stay booked.
To the People Holding the Pause
If you were planning to go, if you were excited to celebrate — it’s okay to be disappointed. But don’t lose hope.
EmpowHer will be back. Kehlani’s not going anywhere. And if anything, this moment is a reset. A reminder that we don’t just need more stages — we need safer ones. Where artists can be honest. Where fans don’t have to wonder if showing up means showing out at the expense of someone’s peace.
This isn’t the end. It’s just a pause. And honestly? That’s a powerful choice.
Until next time—stay moody, stay grounded.
